KJ Ranch

K-J Ranch focuses on working dog training, particularly herding. They offer an evaluation on stock for $40 to help owners determine if their dog is suited for herding. They work with owners to teach them how to handle their dogs, or they can handle the dogs themselves.

They provide various livestock, including ducks, goats, sheep, and cattle, and multiple arenas and fields for training. Their goal is to help owners and dogs work together as a team for ranch work, farm help, herding competition, or as family companions. They also train young dogs that need more handling for ranch work.

Pricing Summary

An evaluation on stock is offered for $40. No other specific pricing information for training programs or packages is provided.

K-J Ranch specializes in working Australian Shepherds and provides dog training services. Owner Carol Gerken has over 30 years of involvement with working Aussies and more than 15 years participating in herding trials. In 2019, Tina Blasdell joined Carol as a partner.

Their program focuses on selectively linebreeding for a strong work ethic and biddability, aiming to produce dogs that are valuable workmates and enthusiastic trial dogs. K-J Ranch’s motto is “our dogs work for you,” and they strive to help owners and their dogs work together as a team for various purposes, including ranch work, farm help, herding competition, or as family companions.

They offer evaluations on stock for $40 to help owners determine if their dog would enjoy learning the sport of herding. K-J Ranch assists owners in learning how to handle their dogs, or they can handle the dogs themselves. They provide a variety of suitable livestock, including ducks, goats, sheep, and cattle, for training purposes, and offer several arenas and fields for competitive handlers to utilize.

Accomplishments

Carol Gerken has over 30 years of experience with working Australian Shepherds and over 15 years participating in herding trials. She has bred and trained 7 National Finals qualifiers with Top Ten placements, a National Specialty Champion in Cattle, and numerous Merit and Hall of Fame dogs. Their dogs compete in AHBA, AKC, ASCA, MSSA, and NCA trial venues.

Notable dogs from K-J Ranch include Cash, a finalist in the 2021 and 2020 American Farm Bureau Dog of the Year Contest, an ASCA Stockdog Finals qualifier in all three stock, and a High Combined Cattle winner. Kali was crowned National Specialty Champion Open Cattle Dog, earned her Stockdog Championship, was Reserve National Cattle Dog, and became the 2024 ASCA Finals Duck Champion. Smudge achieved HIT Rally, ODX-A Obedience PreTrial, and multiple placings in Agility and Rally at the 2019 Nationals. Mimzy was the 2014 ASCA Specialty Pre-Trial Open Cattle Dog winner and ranked #7 in the National Merit Open Cattle.

How to Get Started!

To begin, clients can contact K-J Ranch to schedule an evaluation on stock, which costs $40. This evaluation helps determine if the dog and owner would enjoy learning the sport of herding. K-J Ranch provides guidance on how to proceed if the client wishes to pursue herding.